When my wife and I decided to take our Labrador on a weekend getaway, we found what we thought was the perfect dog-friendly boutique hotel.
Unfortunately, our experience was far from what we expected.
We were unable to take our dog into the hotel’s restaurant, yet we weren’t allowed to leave him in our room either.
As a result, we ended up eating in the bar—definitely not what we had envisioned for our stay.
Now, we’re wondering if we can get a refund for our disappointing experience.
Understanding Your Rights in This Situation
Dean Dunham, a legal expert, provides clarity on how to handle such issues.
When a hotel advertises itself as “dog-friendly,” this description becomes part of the contract between you and the hotel.
Legally, if the description provided is inaccurate, it can be seen as a breach of contract.
According to the Consumer Rights Act of 2015, the goods and services provided must match their description.
In this case, if the hotel’s portrayal of being dog-friendly didn’t live up to expectations, you are entitled to seek a remedy.
What You Need to Do First
Before taking action, it’s important to gather evidence to support your claim.
Consider how the hotel marketed itself as “dog-friendly” and how this was communicated to you.
Did the website explicitly state that dogs were allowed in the restaurant or that leaving dogs in the room was not an issue? With this information in hand, you can contact the hotel and ask for a price reduction based on the assumption that a reasonable person would expect dogs to be allowed in the restaurant and permitted to stay in the room unattended.
What Remedy Can You Expect?
It’s worth noting that, since you stayed at the hotel, you are not likely to get a full refund.
However, you could request a reduction in your bill to reflect the diminished enjoyment and the inconvenience you faced during your stay.
If the hotel insists that it clearly stated restrictions about where dogs could go, they’ll need to provide proof that this information was prominently displayed and communicated to guests.
What to Do When a Warranty Is Shorter Than Expected
Another issue involving consumer rights has to do with warranties.
A reader purchased a generator online from the US, which came with a three-year warranty.
Two years later, the generator broke down, but the manufacturer told him that the warranty in the UK only lasted two years.
The reader is now wondering what his rights are.
Understanding Your Warranty Rights
Dean explains that the first step is to check the warranty documentation provided at the time of purchase.
If the warranty indeed states a two-year period, the manufacturer’s stance is legally valid.
However, the good news is that the warranty itself isn’t the final word in this situation.
Under the Consumer Rights Act, if the product is faulty and the issue is not due to user error or wear and tear, you are entitled to a remedy.
This could be a free repair, a partial refund, a price reduction, or an exchange.
Taking Action Against the Retailer
In this case, the first step is to contact the retailer where you purchased the generator.
If the retailer refuses to resolve the issue, and if you paid via credit card, you can make a Section 75 claim with your card provider.
This claim allows you to seek a remedy under breach of contract, as the faulty product does not meet expectations.
If you paid through another method, you can either seek alternative dispute resolution or take the matter to small claims court.
Additional Tips for Consumers
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